Jay Cutler

When the Denver Broncos traded up to the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft to select former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler, everyone figured it was only a mater of time before he replaced starter Jake Plummer.

Plummer led the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game the year prior, but many in Denver – especially the fans – wanted the rookie to start right away. After the preseason concluded, Cutler quickly moved up the depth chart from third to second string, which stoked the controversy flames that he should be the starter.

On November 27, Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan officially named Cutler the starter over the inconsistent Plummer, citing that the rookie gave the team their best chance to win. In his first game as starter, Cutler threw two touchdown passes, but also two interceptions in a 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Invesco Field at Mile High. He would suffer through another loss before finally securing his first victory as a pro. He led Denver to a 37-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals and fellow rookie quarterback Matt Leinart in Week 15.

Although Denver didn’t make the postseason under Cutler, the rookie still showed flashes of why the team chose him with its first pick in the draft. He became only the second rookie quarterback to throw multiple touchdown passes in each of his first four starts. The last quarterback to accomplish that feat was a somewhat well known signal caller named Dan Marino in ’83.

Cutler had a pretty productive first season as a full-time starter, compiling a 88.1 QB rating, 3,3497 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Broncos failed to reach the postseason, however.

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Cutler had a pretty productive first season as a full-time starter, compiling a 88.1 QB rating, 3,3497 yards and 20 touchdowns. His best effort was a four-touchdown, 244-yard performance in a 41-7 victory against Kansas City in Week 14.

Finding a comfort zone
While he’ll likely be the main focus of the Broncos for some time, Jay Cutler doesn’t mind the team finding other weapons to help take some of the pressure off the second year quarterback.

Jay Says

On his rookie season in 2006:
"Last year was kind of a learning experience, watching Jake (Plummer) and then getting in there and playing. I think it's going to be a big improvement, last year to this year, just me maturing and getting that experience under my belt."

On being a popular figure in Denver:
"Everything has happened so quickly. But it's exciting. This is what I've signed up for and I'm happy to be here."

On NFL suspensions:
“It’s good he’s cleaning things up. It’s never good to see a guy that is that good of a football player have to sit out a year because he’s been in trouble so much. Hopefully, everyone will take notice of this and hopefully stay out of trouble for a long time.”